Wilhelm iiirl



W. HIRL.

(No Mdel.)

PIANO.

Patented Nov. Z5, 1890. y

v 4. rn

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

VVILIIELM IIIRL, OF BERLIN, GERMANY.

PIANO.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 441,559, dated November 25,1890.

Serial No. 242,353. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILHELM HIRL, of the city of Berlin, Prussia, Germany, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Piano-Fortes, of which I declare the following to be a true and correct specification.

My invention consists in combining with two independent key-levers and their actions a lever adapted to be moved between them and pivotally connected to a second lever which is moved forward and backward by a rod, so that the first lever will be moved between or away from the two key-levers.

In order to more clearly illustrate my said invention and enable those versed in the 'art to readily carry the same into-effect, I have represented my improved construction on the accompanying drawings, in whichw Figure l represents the sectional view of a piano-forte provided with the improved mechanism; and Fig. 2, a side view of the coupling device in an uncoupled position, drawn on an enlarged scale.

In the interior central part of the pianoforte I arrange a vertical double sound-board A and A2, which said sound-board carries at its upper ends two tuning-pin rails B B', on both sides of which the strings or wires 1J and b are strung by means of the tuning-pins afa. These cords or wires o b are struck or acted on by the hammers C C', which latter are construct-ed, arranged, and combined with the necessary dampers in the well-known manner. The hammer mechanism cis brought in connection with the key-lever f by means of the vertical rod d, whereas the mechanism designated c is operated by and movably arranged on the horizontal lever 7L through the connecting-rod d. This lever 7L rests and turns on the fulcrum g, and is connected at its lower end with the key lo by means of rod 'L'. The key lo of the lower key-board is located or iixed immediately beneath the key f of the upper manual, and is provided with a nose or projection 7c,which impingesagainst or is brought in contact with an intermediate small lever n, the latter being movably arranged on fn', which in its turn is attached to alever m, swinging or turning on the fulcrum Z. A horizontal rod or stop o, provided with a knob or button o', is arranged between the keys fand lf, and is suitably connected with or attached to lever m. If now the stop o is pulled out, the small lever n willbe drawn between the nose 7c and the key-lever f, as represented in Fig. l of the accompanying drawings. By depressing the key la when the mechanism is in this position the rods t' and d will be raised and the key f and rod d pressed up, so that the hammers O C will be caused to simultaneously strike the wires b and b', and thereby considerably increase the strength of tone. Both sets of cords or wires are naturally tuned in unison. If the stop o is now pushed inward, the coupling will be disconnected and only thehammer C caused to strike the wire or string b by operating on the key 7c, whereas even if the lever n is in a coupled or uncoupled position action will be imparted only to hammer C by depressing the key f. The pedal p rests on the one end of a two-armed lever o, which is pivoted at q, and which with its other end abuts against the lower part of the lever h, which latter, as previously mentioned, is movably attached at g. If pressure is exerted on said pedal when the-small lever a is in the position shown in Fig. l-zl e., so Aas to couple the keys f to the keys c-bothl cords or wires b and b will simultaneously be operated on in the manner hereinbefore set forth, whereas when lever n is uncoupled, as in Fig. 2, only hammer C and cord b will be acted on.

I am aware that it is old to employ two sets of strings, a front and rear action, and provide means whereby said actions may be operated simultaneously or separately, and I make no claim to this broadly.

Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

In combination with the two independent key-levers connected to the two actions, the lever n, arranged on pivot n', alever m, pivotally supported and carrying the pivot n and lever n, and the rod o, provided with a knob for operating the lever m and causing the lever 'a to go between the two sets of keys, substantially as described.

In witness whereof I have hereunto signed my name in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

. XVILHELM IIIRL. Witnesses:

B. ROI, ANTHONY STEPHEN. 

